The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20